Jesus: Our Advocate and Source of Deliverance

Aug 25, 2024

Devotional

Day 1: God Turns Horror Into Hope

Even when life feels like a horror movie and the odds are stacked against us, God is able to turn our deepest fears and threats into hope and deliverance.
Esther 8:5 (ESV): "And she said, 'If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life right now that feels hopeless or overwhelming, and how can you invite God to turn that situation from horror into hope today?
[53:24]

Day 2: Jesus Reverses the Decree Against Us

Just as Esther pleaded for the reversal of the deadly decree, Jesus has come to reverse the spiritual decree against us, giving us abundant life instead of destruction.
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: Where do you sense the enemy trying to steal, kill, or destroy in your life, and how can you intentionally receive the abundant life Jesus offers in that area today?
[01:02:11]

Day 3: Jesus Is Our Advocate and Gives Us Access

We are not left powerless or voiceless before God; Jesus is our advocate who gives us access, representation, and a voice before the Father, freely and with compassion.
1 John 2:1 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Reflection: Is there a burden or sin you’ve been carrying alone? How can you bring it to Jesus today, trusting Him as your advocate who stands before the Father on your behalf?
[01:12:51]

Day 4: God Gives Us Reason to Celebrate

God’s deliverance is not just for survival but for celebration; we are called to remember and rejoice in His miraculous work, just as the Jews established Purim to celebrate their rescue.
Esther 9:20-22 (ESV): "And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can celebrate and remember God’s faithfulness in your life this week—perhaps through a meal, a song, or sharing your story with someone?
[01:25:44]

Day 5: Communion: Remembering Our Rescue

Communion is our ongoing celebration and remembrance that Jesus rescued us from spiritual danger, and it should fill us with gratitude and joy every time we gather.
Luke 22:19-20 (ESV): "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"
Reflection: As you approach the next communion, how can you prepare your heart to truly celebrate and remember the rescue Jesus accomplished for you, rather than treating it as a routine?
[01:29:37]

Sermon Summary

There is a name above every name, and that name is Jesus. When we call on Jesus, we are reminded that we are never alone—He is our constant help, friend, advocate, and the one who knows our struggles intimately. Each day, we wake up in the midst of a spiritual battle, but we are not powerless. Jesus is our strength, our defender, and the one who has already won the victory on our behalf. He is the God-man who suffered, died, and rose again so that we might be free from guilt, shame, and the power of sin.

Looking at the story of Esther, we see a powerful parallel to our own lives. The Jews faced a decree of destruction, a horror that seemed inescapable. Yet, God was working behind the scenes, even when His name wasn’t mentioned. Esther and Mordecai found themselves in positions of influence at just the right time, and through Esther’s courageous advocacy, the decree was reversed. What was meant for their destruction became the very moment of their deliverance and celebration.

This is our story, too. We live under the threat of a spiritual enemy who seeks to destroy us, but Jesus has come to reverse the decree against us. He is our negotiator, our advocate who stands before the Father on our behalf. Unlike any earthly lawyer, Jesus offers His representation freely, out of compassion and love. He gives us access to God, a voice before the throne, and the assurance that we are never without hope.

The deliverance of the Jews led to the celebration of Purim—a time to remember and rejoice in God’s miraculous intervention. In the same way, we are called to celebrate what Jesus has done for us, especially as we come to the Lord’s Table in communion. This is not a casual ritual, but a profound celebration of our rescue from spiritual death. We remember that, like a child unaware of danger, we were vulnerable and helpless, but Jesus intervened and saved us. Every time we gather for communion, we are invited to reflect, rejoice, and give thanks for the miracle of our salvation—a miracle greater than any in Esther’s day.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is our ever-present advocate and friend, intimately acquainted with our struggles and always available to help. In every spiritual battle, we are not left to fight alone; His name carries power, healing, and life for every situation we face. When we call on Him, we are reminded of His nearness and sufficiency. [41:38]
2. God is always at work behind the scenes, even when we cannot see or feel His presence. The book of Esther teaches us that God’s silence is not His absence; He orchestrates events for our good and His glory, often in ways we only recognize in hindsight. Trusting in His unseen hand brings peace in uncertain times. [46:31]
3. The enemy’s intent is to destroy, but Jesus has already reversed the decree against us. Just as Esther interceded for her people, Jesus stands as our mediator, turning horror into hope and death into life. Our spiritual reality is not defined by the threats against us, but by the victory Christ has secured. [62:11]
4. Access to God is not earned, but freely given through Jesus, our pro bono advocate. Unlike earthly representation that comes at a high cost, Jesus offers us access, representation, and a voice before the Father out of pure compassion. His sinless life and sacrificial death make Him uniquely qualified to intercede for us, and His advocacy never ceases. [76:22]
5. Celebration is a spiritual discipline rooted in remembrance of God’s deliverance. The Jews established Purim to commemorate their rescue, and we are called to approach communion with the same sense of awe and gratitude. Recognizing the depth of our rescue should move us to joyful, intentional celebration—not just on special days, but every time we remember what Christ has done. [87:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:38] - The Power of Jesus’ Name
[42:14] - Spiritual Battle and Our Adversary
[43:53] - God Speaks to the Heart
[45:43] - Greeting and Fellowship
[46:31] - God’s Hidden Hand in Esther
[48:40] - Esther’s Plea and the Irrevocable Decree
[50:23] - Looking for Something Better
[52:05] - Esther’s Story is Our Story
[53:24] - Recap: Esther, Mordecai, and Haman
[55:25] - The Horror of the Decree
[57:14] - Living a Real-Life Horror Movie
[62:11] - Jesus Reverses the Decree
[64:27] - The Need for a Negotiator
[70:27] - Esther as Advocate; Jesus as Our Advocate
[76:22] - Jesus, Our Pro Bono Advocate
[77:34] - The Ongoing Advocacy of Christ
[79:00] - God Gives Us Reason to Celebrate
[84:40] - The Significance of Celebration
[87:30] - Communion: Our Greater Celebration
[89:37] - The Spiritual Reality Behind Communion
[91:04] - Invitation to Celebrate and Respond
[92:55] - Call to Salvation and Recommitment
[94:48] - Prayer for Transformation and Testimony

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

- Esther 8:1–7 (Main text of the sermon)
- John 10:10 (“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”)
- 1 John 2:1 (“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”)

Observation Questions

In Esther 8:1–7, what actions did Esther and Mordecai take to try to save their people from destruction? What was the king’s response? [48:40]
According to the sermon, what was the original decree against the Jews, and why couldn’t it simply be canceled? [53:24]
In John 10:10, what two contrasting purposes are described between the enemy and Jesus?
According to 1 John 2:1, what role does Jesus play for us when we sin?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes Esther as an advocate for her people, standing before the king on their behalf. How does this parallel the way Jesus stands before God for us? [01:10:27]
The Jews were powerless to change their situation without someone in a position of influence. What does this teach us about our own spiritual condition before God? [01:11:30]
The sermon says that God is always working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see Him. How might this truth change the way we respond to difficult or uncertain times? [46:31]
The celebration of Purim was established to remember God’s deliverance. Why do you think God wants His people to regularly remember and celebrate what He has done? [01:25:44]

Application Questions

The sermon says that calling on the name of Jesus reminds us we are not alone and that His name carries power, healing, and life. When was the last time you called on Jesus in a difficult moment? What happened? [41:38]
The Jews in Esther’s story faced a decree of destruction, but God was working behind the scenes. Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel like God is silent? How can you trust that He is still working? [46:31]
The enemy’s intent is to destroy, but Jesus has already reversed the decree against us. Are there areas in your life where you still feel defined by guilt, shame, or fear? What would it look like to live in the freedom Jesus has won for you? [01:02:11]
Jesus is described as our “pro bono” advocate who gives us access to God for free. Do you ever feel like you have to “earn” God’s favor or access? How does knowing Jesus represents you out of compassion change your approach to God? [01:16:22]
The sermon challenges us to approach communion as a true celebration, not just a ritual. How do you usually feel or act during communion? What could you do to make it a more joyful and meaningful celebration of your rescue? [01:27:30]
The story of Esther is described as “our story” too. In what ways do you see your own life reflected in Esther’s story of deliverance and hope? [52:05]
The sermon uses the image of a child unaware of danger, saved by someone who sees the bigger picture. Can you think of a time when God protected or rescued you from something you didn’t even realize was a threat? How can you express gratitude for that? [01:29:37]

Sermon Clips

“There is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved but by the name of Jesus. And when we call on the name of Jesus, what it does is it reminds us that we are not in this world alone, but that we have a constant help, a constant friend, a constant companion, a way maker, a miracle worker. We have a door opener. We have a mind regulator. We have a friend. We have a brother. We have an advocate. We have somebody who has suffered in manner just like man, but without sin. We have a sacrificial lamb of God. We have a savior. We have a master. We have a Lord. We have a king. We have one who can identify with our struggles.”

“And so when we call on his name, we're reminded again that Jesus is with us. But we're also reminded this morning, church, that we are in a spiritual battle. Each and every day, you woke up this morning, maybe you didn't realize it, but when you woke up this morning, you woke up in a spiritual fight, a spiritual war. We have a very real adversary and enemy whose assignment is to distract us, to tempt us, and to take us out.”

“So when we call on the name of Jesus, what we're reminding ourselves is that we are not powerless in this spiritual battle that we find ourselves in. We don't need the army. We don't need the Navy. We don't need the Air Force. We don't need the natural guard. We just need Jesus. And we can call on his name anytime, day or night, and we can get the help that we need, the strength that we need, the power that we need, the advocate that we need in our time of need.”

“Though the name of God is never mentioned, the word God you will not find in the book of Esther. His hand is undeniably seen all throughout the book. And the encouragement that we are to get from this is that even when we don't see God moving in the moment, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes of our lives.”

“As we've said each week, Pastor John Piper said it this way, God is working in our lives 10,000 ways. And we may only be aware of three of them at a time. And so I want to encourage you as we wrap up our study in Esther today, I want to encourage you that don't believe that just because God may be silent at times that he is asleep. His silence does not mean he's asleep, that he is working, he is moving on your behalf and for his glory at all times.”

“Sometimes we see God moving in other people's lives, or we see God having moved in the past of our own lives, and we say, God, there has to be something different, something better. Maybe I haven't experienced you fully in the way that I want to experience you or the way that you said I could experience you. But sometimes we forget about the things that God has already done for us and the ways that he has already moved. And in some cases the ways that God has already moved is just as good, if not better, than the way he's moving in the lives of other people.”

“And so as we get into Esther today, what we're going to see that the story of Esther is really your story. The story of Esther is really our story. And the ways in which God has moved in the lives of the Jews and in the life of Esther and Mordecai, her cousin, God has moved already in your life in the exact same ways.”

“The first thing we're going to see about God is that God has turned horror into hope. God has turned horror into hope.”

“But if you're a Jewish person, this is a real life horror movie. Because you know that on the 13th day of the 12th month, you are going to die. You, your family, your cousins, all of y 'all are going to die. And there's nothing you can do about it. There's nowhere that you can run. There's no other place in the kingdom where you can hide. There is nowhere for you to go. You just know that the clock is ticking on your life.”

“And you and I, my brothers and sisters, have a real -life horror movie situation going on in our own lives. Believe it or not, we are living in a horror movie. Now, I'm not saying that the world is bad like that, that you're living in a horror movie, you can't breathe, don't go out your house. I'm not saying that. But there is an enemy that is out there right now that is trying to destroy you, that is trying to kill you, that is trying to annihilate you.”

“Jesus tries to remind us in John chapter 10, 10, that you have an enemy that comes to steal, to kill, to kill, and destroy. This is Jesus reminding us that we have a decree against us to destroy us. That is your reality right now. You are the girl in the house. Somebody is trying to take you out, is what Jesus said.”

“The good news is Jesus also said in John 10, 10, yeah, there's an enemy that comes to steal, to kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you life and life more abundantly. What is Jesus doing? Jesus is saying, I have come to reverse the decree that has been put out on your life. I have come to remove the hit that the enemy has on your life.”

“We already experience God today as one who saves and one who can take the horror that is trying to destroy our lives. He is already the one that can take that away. They can take the hit, the X that's on your back. He can take the X off your back.”

“Here's the deal, in our story, my brothers and sisters, you have no access to God. You have no representation. You have no voice. You are essentially cut off from God. Well, what do you mean, Pastor? Well, here's what I mean. God is holy, which means God is set apart. You and I are unholy. We are ratchet and unrighteous. And that's those of us who are really following Jesus, like that's us.”

“It's not that God doesn't want to mingle with regular common folk. It's because of his holiness and the reality that sin cannot be in his presence, that this reality is just there. God cannot allow sin into his presence because he is perfectly holy. It's not because he doesn't love us. It's because his holiness does not allow for it. And so what do we need? We need, if we want to have access to God, we need a friend in a high place. We need a friend that can get us access to the king. And guess what? We have a friend in a high place. Jesus.”

“And Jesus gives us access, representation, and a voice. Where do you see this? 1 John 2, verse 1. John says, my little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But here's the deal. anyone does sin, we have an advocate. We have somebody, an advocate with the Father named Jesus, who can deal with our sin issue that we have before God.”

“Ephesians chapter 2 verse 18 says, for through Jesus we both have our access, everybody say access, in one spirit to the Father. You and I could never stand before God successfully because of our sin, but Jesus has given us access to the Father. This is why the Hebrew writer says we can come boldly before the throne of grace, not because we have the key to the lockbox that gets us into the throne of grace, it's because Jesus has already opened the door for you and I.”

“We have access, we can go to God any time of the day or night. You have a friend in a high place, you already have that. It's already set in motion.”

“Now how did Jesus get to this place? Because Jesus is different from us. Jesus lived a sin -free life. Thirty -three years, walked the earth, did not sin. We can't make it 33 minutes. And that's after church. We can't make it 33 minutes without sinning. Jesus made it 33 years without sinning. So he became, he is eligible to be the blemish -free sacrificial lamb of God that can appease the wrath of God, that can take the sins of mankind upon himself to stand in the place of sinners as the substitutionary atonement that can deal with our sin problem. Him and him alone, Jesus, is eligible to do that. And guess what? He is your friend in a high place today.”

“We have a representative. We have an advocate who died, but he didn't stay there. He got up out of the grave. And here's the good thing about him. He doesn't have to ask the king. King, can I enter? King, can I come? You don't have to do all this. If I found favor in your sight, if I've been pleasing to the king, if my hair looks good to you, if my makeup is right, can I come in? We have an advocate that sits at the right hand of the father right now who can whisper into his ear, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Give them another chance.”

“They're tripping right now but my blood is sufficient to cover their foolishness today would you forgive them and guess what this advocate is working 24 hours a day seven days a week sitting at the right hand of the father we don't have to go through this life powerless and hopeless because you and I have access to the one with all power but it only came because God gave us a negotiator.”

“He says, you don't have to pay me for access, representation, and a voice. Guess what? I do this for free because I have compassion on you. I can relate to your struggle, and I want to see you free. So I do this for free. So my brothers and sisters, we have it better than Israel. We have it better than the people in Esther who just saw a miracle unfold in their midst. You have it better. God has already moved on your behalf.”

“But we have another celebration that sometimes we forget is a really important celebration. It's a celebration that is better than Purim. It's a celebration that ought to cause us to stop, to pause, and to celebrate that God has miraculously saved us. When death was ascribed to us, life was given to us. And that celebration happens to be every first Sunday a shine. And what do we call it? We call it communion. We call it the Lord's Supper. Well, what is this? It is a celebration where we stop to remember that we have an enemy that tried to take us out. But thanks be to God that we found Christ, or Christ found us, really, and has saved us and delivered us and protect us. We have a negotiator in Jesus. And communion is our celebration to stop and think and reflect.”

“My brothers and sisters, this is why we celebrate communion. Because what we say is, I am aware of the danger that is all around me, seen and unseen. There is a spiritual world that is, there's stuff going on in the spiritual realm right now that leaves me like this two -year old at times where I am unaware. But when I come to communion, when I come to the celebration, I am reminded, I reflect that I was, I am that two -year -old at the intersection, but Jesus came and grabbed me before trouble could take me out.”

“You have the body of Jesus. Jesus, you have the blood of Jesus to remind you that Esther's story is your story, but the ending of your story is even better than what Esther and the Jews could ever experience.”

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